Tea on Tuesday

Last Thursday, I attended another tea class given by Susan Teter at Julieanna's (Broadway, Va) Included was a very interesting video on tea farms in Japan. This was a preplanned class, not knowing the devastation that would hit the area near where this tea farm was.

It was really interesting to see how the different grades of tea leaves are created, and how the powdered teas come out of that processing too. I urge you all to google tea processing - just to see how it all comes to your teacup!
At the last minute, Susan had suggested that everyone bring their own teacup, altho she serves the tea in tiny paper cups to taste - all tea seems to have a better flavor in a REAL teacup!
There were quite a variety of cups - including mugs! I brought, in honor of the class being about Japanese tea, my Occupied Japan teacup I received in an online teacup swap I had last year. If we wore something green (it was also St. Patrick's Day) we would get 10% off any purchase that night - so my purse, and my teacup had green!!!LOL












I decided to make use of the furoshiki cloths my friend Teresa sent me, and wrapped my fragile teacup in those for travel to the tea class.





The saucer is wrapped in one, and the cup in another, tied in a knot and carried like a small tote.


The two teas sampled were gun powder green (oops- Sencha!!!-not gunpowder ! Gunpowder is from China!!) and wood smoked green.






 The wood smoked was ok, if you did not inhale - kind of had the odor of fish!! LOL  Loved the other Sencha green tho!


Here are Julie (dark hair) and Susan serving tea.
Dessert was a tasty  shamrock currant scone with cream. I forgot to take the picture, BEFORE I bit the shamrock "stem" off!!





One of the attendees, Nick, then got up to demonstrate the proper way to make matcha tea. Now I have spoken of matcha in previous posts. I love it. Now, I see I need to get a bamboo wisk!!! His method is a much thicker, stronger blend. The proper way to drink the tea, is with a sweet eaten prior to sipping. I like matcha either way.






Nick also drinks yerba mate - so I checked with him to make sure that I am drinking mine properly. I knew I was, but a second opinion never hurts!! I just wanted to make sure I was not creating a toxic mold in my gourd each time I drink!!!LOL
My purchase that night was this cute refurbished box- which will make a wonderful sewing box - the padded top is an excellent pin cushion!!!









Please feel free to join us every Tuesday for tea and drop by Kimmie and Patty for a list of other tea partiers!!!

22 comments:

  1. I'm SO delighted to always read when you go to one of your tea outings. Like you, I learn a great deal, even when I'm nowhere near the gathering. This may sound weird, but I have a bamboo whisk very similar to the one you showed. I thought it was for making gravy. Go figure!

    Have an awesome tea today, dear, and enjoy that new sewing box.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greetings dear Pat,

    I always keep forgetting Tea on Tuesday event, even though I never start the day without several cups of tea, not end it the same way.

    It was interesting to read about your 'Occupied Japan teacup' which now has my curiosity peaked and wanting to know more. Personally I Prefer drinking tea out of glass, as I feel it holds its temperature better, while a regular tea cup and especially a mug absorb the tea's temperature and thereby cooling it quicker.

    Warmest regards,
    Egmont

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a lovely time you had...so nice to get to share some of it with you in your great pics

    great idea about everyone bringing their own tea cup too...nice conversation starter!

    Happy T to ya!
    oxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like a fun night! I love Japanese green tea. It is hard to make without getting a bitter taste. The temperature has a lot to do with it. I have a Japanese friend who serves green tea with toasted barley in it. That is my favorite! It's lIke springtime in a teacup!

    Cheers! And happy Tuesday Pat!

    P.s. Your license plate arrived last night! I love it and can't wait to use it in something! I will definitely keep you posted!

    ReplyDelete
  5. this is something I have always wanted to do.
    This is my first tea on tuesday. and I am so glad to meet you

    ReplyDelete
  6. After reading this, now I have to get up and make a cup of matcha with my bamboo whisk in my Japanese matcha cup. Always seems to taste better when mixed authentically. Or maybe I'm just imagining it:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Look like my kind of evening! What a great time you had. I agree that tea tastes best in a china or ceramic cup.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kimmie - just came across my barley tea when organizing my pantry last night - (that cleaning thing again!) Will have to have some today - and find more (Teresa????)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds like you had a fun and informative outing! Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to go to a tea ritual like you did. Everything reminds me of Feng Shui with the elements being brought in, the whole consciousness about where tea comes from and how it is filtered. Really lovely way to drink tea today :) Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What fun to go to a tea class and lean so many interesting things. I really enjoyed reading your tea post today as always. Happy tea day.

    ReplyDelete
  12. yum yum yum...now i want a scone...never had real matcha, only my rep of tea matcha...shall have to seek this out...happy t day, dear

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really enjoyed your post. I love learning about everything, and tea especially. I do not drink either of the ones you mentioned, but I would some day like to try.
    Your O.J. tea cup is really lovely, and such the right cup to take on St. Paddy's day!
    Thank you so much for sharing today.
    Hugs,
    Terri

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a great little tour of your evening! I love that everyone was encouraged to bring their own cups to enjoy the brews. That is awesome! I probably wouldn't have thought to photograph the scone until there were only crumbs left on the plate ;-)
    Happy T on T!
    ~Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  15. Always interested in your tea musings and posts, but have to admit I like that box the most!

    ReplyDelete
  16. wow, you just have too much fun!! so glad you share it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks like good fun, Pat...Happy Happy T day to you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your tea post is wonderful--awesome photos. I love the little box you got and that fabric for wrapping your cup!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a fabby evening you had and I love the way you carried your teacup and saucer to the event. The thick green stuff didn't appeal to me but you more than made up for it with that gorgeous little box with the plump cushion at the end!! Happy T day to you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like green tea a LOt.
    I sort of enjoy the fishy odor. I don't know why.

    I bet you secretly do too...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looks like fun! I enjoyed reading your post!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a great post! Very informative! Pretty tea cup!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete